noun
Uncommon
cove
kohv
Cove (noun) means a small, sheltered inlet along a coastline, often bordered by cliffs or rocks. Example: “We anchored the boat in a quiet cove for the night.”
noun
1
A small, sheltered inlet along a coastline, often bordered by cliffs or rocks.
"We anchored the boat in a quiet cove for the night."
"The hidden cove was accessible only by boat."
"Children splashed in the shallow water of the sandy cove below the cliffs."
How to use cove
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, protected bay or inlet along a shoreline.
Common mistake
Despite sounding alike, "cove" is not historically related to "cave" — it's just a coincidental resemblance.
Common pairings
a sheltered cove
sandy cove
hidden cove
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Word forms
- Plural
- coves
- Third person singular
- coves
- Past tense
- coved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We anchored the boat in a quiet _____ for the night.
Etymology
From Old English cofa, meaning "chamber" or "den" — the sense narrowed over time to describe a small sheltered inlet or hollow.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cove
See all rhymes for cove →Frequently asked questions
What does “cove” mean?
The word “cove” means a small, sheltered inlet along a coastline, often bordered by cliffs or rocks. In plain terms, a small, protected bay or inlet along a shoreline.
How do you pronounce “cove”?
“Cove” is pronounced kohv (/koʊv/ in IPA).
How do you use “cove” in a sentence?
Here is “cove” used in a sentence: “We anchored the boat in a quiet cove for the night.”
What part of speech is “cove”?
“Cove” is a noun.
Where does the word “cove” come from?
The word “cove” comes from Old English. From Old English cofa, meaning "chamber" or "den" — the sense narrowed over time to describe a small sheltered inlet or hollow.
Is “cove” a common word?
“Cove” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a "cove" and a "bay"?
A cove is typically a small, sheltered inlet along a coastline, often bordered by cliffs or rocks, while a bay is generally a larger body of water partially enclosed by land. Coves are usually more intimate in scale and offer more shelter from open water than bays.
Is a cove always found on a coastline bordered by rocks?
A cove is often bordered by cliffs or rocks, which contributes to its sheltered, enclosed feel, though the exact landscape can vary from one cove to another along different coastlines.
Why are coves considered sheltered compared to open coastline?
Coves are small inlets that cut into the coastline, and their surrounding cliffs or rocks provide natural protection from wind and waves, making them calmer than the open, exposed sections of a coast.
